Slide fastener stringer with a continuous coupling element woven into a fabric tape

ABSTRACT

A slide fastener stringer comprising a woven fabric tape, a continuous coupling element of helicoidal, zigzag or like configuration mounted upon the stringer tape along one of the longitudinal edges thereof, and a core member extending longitudinally through the coupling element. The stringer tape includes a filling yarn which, besides being interlaced with the warp of the tape, is so arranged as to tie the coupling element to the tape together with the core member. There is separately provided a cover strip of a woven fabric extending over and along the coupling element. The cover strip also includes a filling yarn which, besides being interlaced with the warp of the strip, is so arranged as to tie the coupling element to the strip together with the core member. The filling yarn of the cover strip can be tensed to a desired degree without affecting the weave construction of the stringer tape.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,901,291

Nogai Aug. 26, 1975 SLIDE FASTENER STRINGER WITH A CONTINUOUS COUPLING ELEMENT Primary ExaminerHenry S. Jaudon WOVEN INTO A FABRIC TAPE Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bucknam and Archer [75] Inventor: Akira Nogai, Kurobe, Japan [73] Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, 57 ABSTRACT Tokyo, Japan A slide fastener strin er com risin a woven fabric [22] Flled: 1974 tape, a continuous cou pling ele inent of helicoidal, zig- [21] Appl. No.: 527,224 zag or like configuration mounted upon the stringer tape along one of the longitudinal edges thereof, and a core member extending longitudinally through the [30] Foreign Apphcauon Pnonty Data coupling element. The stringer tape includes a filling Dec. 4, 1973 Japan 48-l384ll yam which, besides-being interlaced with the warp of the tape, is so arranged as to tie the coupling element [52] US. Cl.. 139/384 B; 24/205.16 C to the tape together with the core member There is [5 I Int. Cl.2 A44B 19/18 Separately provided a cover Strip of a woven fabric [58] Field Of Search 139/384 R, 384 B; tending over and along the coupling element The 24/205'1 205-13 205-16 C cover strip also includes a filling yarn which, besides being interlaced with the warp of the strip, is so ar- References Cited ranged as to tie the coupling element to the strip to- UNITED STATES PATENTS gether with the core member. The filling yarn of the 3,807,462 4 1974 Nogai 139/384 B Cover Strip can be tensed o a desired degree Without 3,847,188 12/1974 Aucr et al. 139/384 B affecting the weave construction of the stringer tape.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS v 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1,945,315 9/1969 Germany 24/205.l6 C

III 28 27 FIG.4

PATENTED AUG26 I975 FIG 5 SLIDE FASTENER STRINGER WITH A CONTINUOUS COUPLING ELEMENT WOVEN INTO A FABRIC TAPE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to slide fasteners and in particular to a stringer for slide fasteners. More specifically, the invention deals with a slide fastener stringer of the type comprising a woven fabric tape and a continuous coupling element of helicoidal, zigzag or like configuration, such that the coupling element is affixed to the fabric tape by being substantially woven into the latter.

In the slide fastener stringer of the aforementioned type, the continuous coupling element is mounted upon the woven fabric tape along one of the longitudinal edges thereof usually by utilizing the filling yarn of the tape. The filling yarn includes portions engaged with the coupling element along the said one longitudinal edge of the stringer tape, and other portions extending transversely of the stringer tape to interlace its warp yarns. Consequently, no more tensile force can be possibly exerted on this filling yarn than that required for the formation of the desired weave construction of the stringer tape. It is of course impossible, either, to apply any high tension only to those portions of the filling yarn engaged with the continuous coupling element.

This is the principal reason why, in the prior art slide fastener stringer of the type now under consideration, the continuous coupling element is often not affixed to the stringer tape with a desired degree of firmness, that is, is not sufficiently strongly tied to the latter by the filling yarn. In the use of the complete slide fastener, therefore, the continuous coupling elements thus insecurely affixed to the stringer tapes are easy to displace from their preassigned positions on the respective tapes, thereby impairing the proper functioning of the fastener.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide an improved slide fastener stringer having a continuous coupling element affixed to a woven fabric tape, in such a fashion that the noted disadvantages of the prior art are obviated in a highly efficient and practical manner.

3 It is another important object of this invention to pro vide a slide fastener stringer of the above described type which is manufacturable substantially as efficiently and economically as the prior art stringers of like class and character.

Summarized briefly, the invention provides a slide fastener stringer which includes a continuous coupling element of well-known helicoidal, zigzag or like configuration, and a core member extending longitudinally through the coupling element. There is provided a stringer tape of a woven fabric including a first filling yarn which, besides constituting the stringer tape itself in combination with warp yarns, is so arranged as to fasten the continuous coupling element and its core member to the tape along one of the longitudinal edges thereof.

There is further provided according to the invention a cover strip, also ofa woven fabric, which overlies the continuous coupling element to effect its positive anchorage onto the stringer tape. The cover strip includes a second filling yarn which, besides being interlaced with warp yarns to constitute the cover strip itself, is so arranged as to fasten the continuous coupling element and its core member to the strip. This second filling yarn can be tensed to a desired degree without affecting the weave construction of the stringer tape.

Advantageously, the stringer tape and the cover strip can be woven simultaneously on a needle loom, while at the same time the continuous coupling element is being affixed thereto.

The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of this invention are set forth in particular in the claims appended hereto. The invention itself, however, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, will be more readily apparent from the following description taken in conjection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters denote corresponding parts of the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial, diagrammatic top plan view of a slide fastener stringer constructed in accordance with the novel concepts of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a left hand side elevational view of the slide fastener stringer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of line Illlll in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partly broken-away bottom plan view of the slide fastener stringer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating another specific adaptation of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of line VIVI in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is also a cross sectional view taken along the plane of line VIIVII in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will now be described more specifically in terms of a preferable embodiment thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive. The illustrated slide fastener stringer broadly comprises a woven fabric tape 10 and a continuous coupling element 11. The stringer tape 10 includes an element carrying portion 12 along one of the longitudinal edges thereof and a plain or major portion 13. The fabric construction of the stringer tape 10 is constituted of a first group of warp yarns 14 extending longitudinally of the elementcarrying tape portion 12, a second group of warp yarns 15 extending longitudinally of the major tape portion 13, and a first filling yarn 16, as will be later described in more detail.

The continuous coupling element 11 is arranged over the element carrying portion 12 of the stringer tape. As will be seen from the drawings, this coupling element is well known in the art as the helicoidal or coil type, in which a continuous filament of a synthetic resin or the like is coiled to provide a series of scoops each of which comprises a coupling head and upper and lower shanks and which are connected to each other via arcuate connecting portions located remote from the coupling heads. A cord-like core member 17 is accommo dated within, and extends longitudinally through, the continuous coupling element 11.

The stringer tape 10 can be woven on a needle loom. Attention is now directed to the particular paired weft yarn indicated at 18 and 19 in the bottom plan view of FIG. 4. It is assumed that this paired weft yarn has just been formed by inserting the aforesaid first filling yarn 16 in the direction of the arrow A through the shed between the first and second groups of warp yarns l4 and by a first needle or weft carrier of the needle loom so as to pass under and over the alternate warp yarns of the element-carrying tape portion 12 and the major tape portion 13. Prior to the next picking operation, this first filling yarn passes under a lower shank of the continuous coupling element 11 along the front selvage (seen to the left in FIGS. 3 and 4) of the stringer tape and upwardly over the core member 17 and the arcuate connecting portion 21 between the adjacent scoops of the element 11, as indicated at 22 in FIG. 3. The first filling yarn 16 is then again inserted through the shed created between the warp yarns 15 of the major tape portion 13, thereby forming another paired weft yarn 23 best illustrated in FIG. 4.

By the weave pattern outlined in the foregoing, the continuous coupling element 1 1 is affixed onto the element carrying portion 12 of the stringer tape 10. It may be noted that the force with which the coupling element is secured to the tape by the fabric construction so far described is determined by the tensile force exerted on the first filling yarn 16 during its picking operation.

It will be seen from a consideration of FIG. 4 that each time the first filling yarn 16 is carried over the rear selvage of the stringer tape 10, the same is engaged by a hook member of the needle loom so as to form a terminal loop 24. This loop is succeedingly anchored by a similar terminal loop 25 of the next paired weft yarn.

As clearly seen in FIG. 1, there is further provided according to this invention a third group of warp yarns 26 extending over the upper shanks 27 of the continuous coupling element 11. The weft interlaced with this third group of warp yarns is formed by a second filling yarn 28 that may be carried by a second needle or weft carrier of the needle loom.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, inclusive, the second filling yarn 28 extends over each upper shank 27 of the continuous coupling element 1 1 along the front selvage and is inserted, in the direction of the arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2, under and over the alternate warp yarns 26 of the third group, thereby forming one paired weft yarn specifically designated by the numeral 29 in FIG. 1. Prior to the next picking operation, this second filling yarn is guided downwardly to pass at 30 under the core member 17 and the connecting portion 21. The yarn is succeedingly guided over the connecting portion 21 and forms a terminal loop 31 which anchors the terminal loop 32 of the aforesaid paired weft yarn 29.

The third group of warp yarns 26 and the second filling yarn 28 interwoven in the above described fashion provide a cover strip 33 overlying the rear portions of the upper shanks 27 of the continuous coupling element 11. The continuous coupling element is now positively anchored onto the stringer tape 10.

It is particularly noteworthy that the second filling yarn 28 of the cover strip 33 is associated only with the third group of warp yarns 26, the upper shanks 27 of the continuous coupling element 11, the core member 17, and the connecting portions 21 of the coupling element. As a consequence, the weft formed by this second filling yarn can be tensed to a desired degree without regard to the fabric construction of the element carrying portion 12 and major portion 13 of the stringer tape 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, pairs of warp yarns are arranged in close side-by-side relationship at the extreme left, as seen in the drawings, of the elementcarrying tape portion 12, the major tape portion 13 and the cover strip 33, respectively. This arrangement is designed to reinforce the fabric constructions of these portions.

In another specific adaptation of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, inclusive, there is incorporated a continuous coupling element of zigzag type. As is well known, in the continuous coupling element of this second type, an elongated filament of a synthetic resin or the like is bent in zigzag configuration to provide a series of scoops each of which comprises a coupling head and upper and lower shanks and which are connected to each other via alternating upper and lower connecting portions located remote from the coupling heads.

As in the preceding embodiment of the invention, the illustrated stringer includes a woven fabric tape 41 comprising an element carrying portion 42 along the front longitudinal edge thereof and a plain or major portion 43. More specifically, the stringer tape 41 is woven of a first group of warp yarns 44 extending longitudinally of the elementcarrying tape portion 42, a second group of warp yarns 45 extending longitudinally of the major tape portion 43, and a first filling yarn 46.

The zigzag-type continuous coupling element 40 is arranged over the element carrying portion 42 of the stringer tape, and a cord-like core member 47 is accommodated within, and extends longitudinally through, the continuous coupling element.

This stringer tape 41 can also be woven on a needle loom. It is now assumed that the first filling yarn 46 has just been inserted, in the direction of the arrow B in FIGS. 6 and 7, through the shed between the first and second groups of warp yarns 44 and 45 by the first needle or weft carrier of the needle loom, thereby forming one paired weft yarn 48 interlaced with the warp yarns of the element-carrying tape portion 42 and the major tape portion 43. Prior to the next picking operation, this first filling yarn is guided under one of the lower shanks 49 of the continuous coupling element 40 along the front selvage of the stringer tape and upwardly over the core member 47 and the lower or upper connecting portion 50 or 51 between the adjacent scoops of the element 40, as indicated by way of example at 52 in FIG. 6. The first filling yarn 46 is then again inserted through the shed created between the warp yarns 45 of the major tape portion 43, thereby forming another paired weft yarn labeled 53 in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As is well known, the individual scoops of the zigzagtype continuous coupling element now under consideration are alternately interconnected by the lower connecting portion 50 bridging the lower shanks 49 of the adjacent scoops, as shown in FIG. 6, and by the upper connecting portion 51 bridging the upper shanks 54 of the adjacent scoops, as shown in FIG. 7.

Thus, if the above mentioned weft yarn 53 is now assumed to extend from the lower connecting portion 50 as shown in FIG. 6, then the next weft yarn interlaced with the warp yarns 45 of the major tape portion 43 will extend from the upper connecting portion 51, as will be seen from FIG. 7.

The weave pattern of the element-carrying tape portion 42 and the major tape portion 43 being as described hereinbefore, it will be observed that the zigpaired weftyarns 48, 53 and so forth form loops along the rear selvage of the stringer tape, which loops are successively anchored by each other, as previously explained in conjunction with FIG. 4.

As in the preceding embodiment of the invention, there is further provided a third group of warp yarns 55 extending over the upper shanks 54 of the zigzag-type continuous coupling element 40. A second filling yarn 56, carried by the second needle or weft carrier of the needle loom, forms the weft interlacing the third group of warp yarns 55.

With reference to FIGS. to 7, inclusive, the second filling yarn 56 extends over each upper shank 54 of the zigzag-type continuous coupling element 40 along the front selvage and is inserted, in the direction of the arrow B in FIGS. 6 and 7, through the shed between the warp yarns 55 of the third group, thereby forming one paired weft yarn like that shown at 29 in FIG. 1. Prior to the next picking operation, this second filling yarn is guided downwardly to pass at 57 under the core member 47 and the lower or upper connecting portion 50 or 51 between the adjacent scoops. As will be seen by referring back to FIG. 1, each paired weft yarn formed by the second filling yarn 56 forms a terminal loop which is anchored by the terminal loop of the portion 57.

The third group of warp yarns 55 and the second filling yarn 56 interlaced in the above described fashion provide a cover strip 58 overlying the rear portions of the upper shanks 54 of the zigzag-type continuous coupling element 40. The positive anchorage of the coupling element onto the stringer tape is thus accomplished.

Since the scoops of the zigzag-type continuous coupling element are connected to each other by the alternating upper and lower connecting portions as previously mentioned, the portion 57 of the second filling yarn 56 is required to alternately engage these connecting portions. FIG. 6 illustrates the second filling yarn portion 57 engaging the lower connecting portion 50, and FIG. 7 the second filling yarn portion 57 engaging the upper connecting portion 51.

Although in both of the preferable embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described, the weft yarns are inserted in the direction marked by the arrows A and B in the drawings, it is possible to insert the weft yarns in the opposite direction.

Thus, according to the stringer construction of this invention the first filling yarn is so arranged to effectively bind onto the element carrying portion of the stringer tape the lower shanks and the connecting portions of the continuous coupling element together with its core member. The second filling yarn is likewise well calculated to effectively fasten together the upper shanks, the connecting portions, the core member, and the third group of warp yarns overlying the upper shanks. It will therefore be appreciated that not only the lower shanks but the upper shanks, too, of the continuous coupling element are secured to the stringer.

. Even more importantly,'-the secondfilling yarn forming the weftof the cover strip can be tensed-to a degree desirable for the positive anchorage of the continuous coupling element, totally without regard'to the weave construction of 'the e'lement carrying tape portion and major tape'por'tionsThecoupling element can thus be definitely checked against any substantial displacement with respect to the stringer tape in the use of the complete slide fastener.

It may also be worth mentioning that the cover strip over the continuous coupling element can be woven simultaneously with the major portion of the stringer tape along one of the longitudinal edges of the stringer tape. Thus, in spite of the distinct advantages gained by this invention, the manufacture of the slide fastener stringer according to the invention requires only a step of inserting the second filling yarn through the third group of warp yarns in addition to the conventional manufacturing steps of the prior art stringers of this class and character. The slide fastener stringer according to the invention is therefore mass-producible by a single weaving process, no less efficiently than heretofore.

It is understood that the scope of this invention is not to be limited by the exact structural and manufactural details shown and set forth in this specification, as many variation will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a slide fastener stringer of the type comprising a continuous coupling element having a series of scoops each of which is constituted of a coupling head and upper and lower shanks and which are connected to each other via connecting portions remote from the coupling heads, and a core member extending longitudinally through said continuous coupling element, the combination thereof with:

a stringer tape including an element carrying portion and a major portion, said element carrying portion extending along one of the longitudinal edges of said stringer tape and underlying said continuous coupling element;

said stringer tape being of a woven fabric including a first group of warp yarns extending longitudinally of said element carrying portion, a second group of warp yarns extending longitudinally of said major portion, and a first filling yarn;

said first filling yarn repeatedly including a first portion interlaced with said first and second groups of warp yarns, a second portion passing under one of said lower shanks of said continuous coupling element and over said core member and one of said connecting portions of said continuous coupling element, and a third portion interlaced with said second group of warp yarns; and

a cover strip overlying said continuous coupling element;

said cover strip being also of a woven fabric including a third group of warp yarns extending longitudinally thereof, and a second filling yarn;

said second filling yarn repeatedly including a first portion interlaced with said third group of warp yarns, and a second portion passing under said core member and one of said connecting portions of said continuous coupling element and over one of wherein said first portion of said second filling yarn is also interlaced with said third group of warp yarns in paired arrangement and forms terminal loops along one of the longitudinal edges of said cover strip remote from said one longitudinal edge of said stringer tape, 'said terminal loops of said second filling yarn being anchored by respective similar terminal loops formed by said second portion thereof. 

1. In a slide fastener stringer of the type comprising a continuous coupling element haviNg a series of scoops each of which is constituted of a coupling head and upper and lower shanks and which are connected to each other via connecting portions remote from the coupling heads, and a core member extending longitudinally through said continuous coupling element, the combination thereof with: a stringer tape including an element carrying portion and a major portion, said element carrying portion extending along one of the longitudinal edges of said stringer tape and underlying said continuous coupling element; said stringer tape being of a woven fabric including a first group of warp yarns extending longitudinally of said element carrying portion, a second group of warp yarns extending longitudinally of said major portion, and a first filling yarn; said first filling yarn repeatedly including a first portion interlaced with said first and second groups of warp yarns, a second portion passing under one of said lower shanks of said continuous coupling element and over said core member and one of said connecting portions of said continuous coupling element, and a third portion interlaced with said second group of warp yarns; and a cover strip overlying said continuous coupling element; said cover strip being also of a woven fabric including a third group of warp yarns extending longitudinally thereof, and a second filling yarn; said second filling yarn repeatedly including a first portion interlaced with said third group of warp yarns, and a second portion passing under said core member and one of said connecting portions of said continuous coupling element and over one of said upper shanks of said continuous coupling element.
 2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and third portions of said first filling yarn are interlaced with said first and second groups of warp yarns in paired arrangement and form terminal loops along the longitudinal edge of said stringer tape opposite to said one longitudinal edge thereof, said terminal loops being successively anchored by each other, and wherein said first portion of said second filling yarn is also interlaced with said third group of warp yarns in paired arrangement and forms terminal loops along one of the longitudinal edges of said cover strip remote from said one longitudinal edge of said stringer tape, said terminal loops of said second filling yarn being anchored by respective similar terminal loops formed by said second portion thereof. 